To Market, To Market

You can smell it in the air—the way sunshine starts to heat the soil and send spring aromas bouncing around the pavement. We come outside and survey our surroundings, start to clear the vestiges of winter. And we look for every opportunity to absorb the sun of a new season.

One of our favorite ways is to hit the farmers’ markets! Many cities have them year round. You don’t have to get up too early in the morning to beat the rush at the beginning of the season, and you’ll feel great when you have a hand in picking your own fresh foods.

Once you’re at the market, you can’t help but be struck by the colors and textures—green and purple and red lettuces in the buckets of spring mix; green pint boxes of fresh strawberries and yellow zucchini; glorious red apples. In the background, music and happy voices and colorful hula hoopers add to the tapestry that warms the walkers, with their toddlers and dogs and market bags.

As a follower of the 5 & 1 Plan, you have many spring options open to you. If you’re on Transition or Maintenance, the farmers’ market is your oyster! What’s a salad without the fresh taste of arugula? Asparagus is the perfect accompaniment for fish. Look for chard and fiddleheads, scallions, parsley, green onions, leeks, fennel bulb, and all kinds of flavorful greens.

But don’t go just for the vegetables. Treat yourself to potted herbs, fresh flowers, candles and soaps, hand-made crafts, cheese, etc. Enjoy a cup of local coffee while you stroll.

Farmers’ Markets are about more than food: they offer entertainment and camaraderie and sheer joy. Not only do you get the best, freshest, just-picked produce, but you get the best, freshest people, too—all of whom are happy to be out and about, enjoying the colorful sights and delicious aromas of the growing season.

Best of all: you’re moving. You’re helping yourself while you help the farmers and the environment. Become a regular, and it will be one of the highlights of your week.